Elusive. – 23.7 metre lobster fishing boat by Dongara Marine

Delivered to a highly experienced fisherman in May 2024, the 23.7 metre Elusive. is a newbuild project that exemplifies the ability of Dongara Marine and Southerly Designs to support innovation and through the flexibility of custom design and build cantered around customer preferences.
Like Dongara Marine and Southerly Designs, the owner has a long association with the Western Rock Lobster industry, fishing from Port Denison for many decades. As a result, this vessel reflects the culmination of decades of maritime experience combined with state-of-the-art boatbuilding, particularly the composite wheelhouse structure.
The owner brought his extensive industry knowledge to the table during the design process and continued to be heavily involved in the production and outfit process, ensuring that Elusive. is not only the newest, but also one of the most highly customised, crayboats in the Western Australian fleet.
While known to be mistaken for a leisure craft by the casual onlooker, Elusive. blends practicality, performance, and comfort in a vessel that is ultimately designed to withstand the demands of commercial fishing and perform profitably within that context.
While drawing on the combined decades of vessel design and boatbuilding experience that exists within Dongara Marine and Southerly Designs, the owner had very specific ideas that he wanted accommodated. His significant input throughout the design and construction process can be seen in many key aspects of the project. These include:
• Positioning the live lobster and fuel tanks amidships with a view to minimising trim effects as loads vary
• The use a of v-drive transmission to enable the tank arrangement, with the twin diesel engines fitted further aft than typical on vessels of this type
• Incorporation of an S-shaped chine into the Southerly Designs hullform
• An extra-long overhang extending back from the wheelhouse to shelter the work deck. This was engineered in composites to provide a very stiff cantilever structure extending nearly 6.3 metres
• A distinctive bimini above the flybridge, also resin-infusion moulded by Dongara Marine
The boat’s full composite superstructure is engineered to DNV rules. Combining this with an aluminium hull strikes a balance between durability and weight efficiency, allowing the vessel to perform at high speeds while maintaining fuel efficiency and stability and achieving a low noise interior of near superyacht finish.
Powered by two MAN D2868 LE436 engines, each delivering 895kW to Veem propellers via ZF 2000V gearboxes, the vessel achieved a full power speed of 25.9 knots and cruises comfortably at 19 knots.
Another key feature that sets Elusive. apart is the Seakeeper gyrostabiliser, a first for Dongara Marine in a newly built commercial lobster fishing vessel.
Selected by the owner, the system proved capable of notable roll motion reduction. This is expected to enhance working conditions onboard, by providing a more stable platform on which to work and reducing the fatigue associated with constantly adjusting to vessel motion.
Beyond its technical specifications, the crayboat is designed with comfort and crew functionality in mind. The vessel is in survey to work with between two and five crew and provides overnight accommodation for up to eight people. The accommodation, featuring more use of composites, is designed for practicality and comfort.
The spacious aft work deck provides ample room for fishing operations, while the flybridge, complete with a composite bimini, offers the raised vantage point for control and navigation that many operators seek.
Inside the vessel, the wheelhouse is equipped with advanced electronics from Geraldton Marine Electronics, ensuring access to reliable and precise navigational and fishing tools. The helm console is laid out for optimal control, with intuitive access to electronics and instrumentation.
Live lobster capacity is 90 baskets, equating to some 2.7 tonnes, ensuring Elusive. is equipped for high-yield fishing trips. With a fuel capacity of 7,000 litres and 900 litres of fresh water, it can also operate for extended periods without refuelling.